Carthy hosts Mayo meeting on seaweed harvesting

Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy was in Mayo this evening to
host a public meeting on seaweed harvesting amidst concerns that the industry
could be privatised.

Cllr Carthy was joined at the packed meeting by
local councillor Rose Conway Walsh and Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.

Speaking in Belmullet the Midlands Northwest
candidate said:

“The scenic west coast of Ireland, including here in
Belmullet, has much to contribute towards the revitalisation of the economy.

“There is great untapped potential
along our coast for greater use of seaweed and for job creation by adding value
to the potential harvest there. However, significant concerns have
arisen for the future of the industry.

“It appears that a private company from Canada is bidding for the state-owned Arramara Teoranta and I
am very concerned that this is another feature of our lives that this
government wants to sell off for privatisation.

“The potential of this
industry will only benefit our own people if the harvesting and
processing is controlled by the communities living there by way of
co-operatives or some similar community-based approach.

“I am calling on the Minister for the Environment, Phil
Hogan, to come clean on plans for the future of seaweed harvesting on the
Western seaboard.

“The community here in Belmullet made their views known
tonight. There is a great deal of concern along the west coast for the future
of seaweed harvesting. Minister Hogan should not leave these communities
waiting for an answer.”